"Amazing maternity care"

I had my little boy last summer and have never gotten around to thanking everyone who looked after us both.

I opted to deliver in the midwives unit at AMH and was “booked” in for induction at T+12. I received excellent care from my community midwife Sandra throughout my pregnancy and was scanned at T+7 to check on my baby’s growth and amniotic levels. 

With each day over my due date, I felt more apprehensive as I was so overdue and no guarantee when I would be admitted for induction (the process being you were phoned as soon as a spaced became available and T+12 being the earliest date due to being low risk).

I naturally went into labour early that morning and attended the assessment unit when my contractions were every 3-5 minutes. Unfortunately I was still in early labour and was sent home. After a few more hours at home I felt I wasn’t coping with my labour pains and contractions were less than every 3 minutes so we headed back in. Again I was still in early labour but the midwives reassured me I would not be sent home again. I was offered pain relief and we hired a tens machine. As my labour intensified I was given gas and air (my preference for pain relief) and a swiss ball. My baby was back to back despite my best efforts in the lead up to my due date.

I was transferred to labour ward around teatime meeting the day staff. Unfortunately the midwives unit was full. My labour was still slow to progress and my waters were broken to help speed things along. I became hysterical as my waters were stained with meconium (baby had pooped), a sign of foetal distress which I was all too familiar with as a health worker. My baby was monitoring well and the staff tried to put me at ease that this is quite common when babies are over due.

I had Senior charge midwife Jenny and staff midwife Michaela looking after me on the night shift who were absolutely amazing. It was decided the best thing for me was to have an epidural and hormonal drip as my cervix was swollen, slowing dilation and needed a chance to catch up. I hadn’t been keen for an epidural but my birth plan was “go with the flow”. I am so grateful to Jenny for being to the point with me and helping me agree to an epidural. Once the epidural was in place (big thank you to the anaesthetist!) I was able to think rationally whilst continuing with gas and air. I got some respite between contractions, my labour progressed and I delivered my baby naturally. 

The only feedback I have is that the seating for birthing partners in labour ward was limited and uncomfortable, and the waiting times/admission for induction process. A chair with arms for my husband and my mum who were my birthing partners to get some rest would have been amazing. They had a hard seat with no arms so were unable to get any rest for 20+ hours.

Around my due date there was an exceptionally long wait time for induction which can’t be helped. The process for being admitted for induction amplified my anxiety. I felt very fortunate to have gone into labour without induction as waiting would have taken me even further beyond my due date.

I can’t put into words the appreciation I have for all the care I received throughout my pregnancy. I will especially remember all the kindness and support from Michaela and Jenny. So much love for you guys! And again thank you all for everything.